3D printing getting mainstream?

Oh yes please!

That is what I thought when I walked into the common copy-center in Prague few days ago. There I go, getting some stuff printed and bam... there it is among machines printing on the t-shirts, coffee cups and common paper - a 3D printer.

It is an amazing and useful technology that is, unfortunately, still in it's beginnings. A lot of geeky people who loved to manufacture or needed a rapid prototype sketches already had one or at least access to it. But most of the people didn't even had a slightest idea this stuff is around.

 

Not anymore. Even though these cheap printers still take hours to actually make anything and mostly are able to work only with some kind of plastic - they can be useful. The only problem for most people is the modeling part. One of the popular solutions are "model libraries" for different printers available to their customers. Here, people who are skilled in design make their models available and some even offer their services. It is also possible to use 3D scanner to copy the items you already have. To be honest, if there was one file-type for all the printers and design programs, it wouldn't hurt...

Now, with this getting more and more mainstream, I just wait until repair-shops and design boutiques will print their stuff locally... some E-shops already do. Want to see something awesome? Check out shapeways.com.

Before spending 3k$ on your own 3D printer though.. read though what this guy has to say - he makes a living through a 3D printing so while the rest of us dream of better futures, he has a very precise idea about possibilities, strengths and weaknesses of this technology: why 3d printing is overhyped - by Nick Allen (founder of 3D print UK)   

If you still think this stuff is amazing and consider getting one yourself for fun or as a stylish and futuristic addition to your business... it is not as hard or expensive as one would expect. I was thinking about getting one too but friend already has one and my tiny apartment is, well, tiny. However I did the research so here are the spoils:

fab@home.org
makerbot.com

Have fun, explore the future, and see you soon. :-)